Simphonio Xcited2 In-Ear Monitor

Firstly I would like to thank Simphonio for this sample, it has had well over 50hrs of burn-in before reviewing.

Simphonio are a company born out of the ashes of Sunrise Audio, who were a well respected brand a couple of years ago. So lets see what their first new IEM is like.

*disclaimer: This sample was provided for the purpose of writing a review, no incentive was given to write a favourable review. All opinions expressed are my own subjective findings.

Gear Used: iBasso DX200 / Audio Opus #2 > Xcited2



Tech Specs:

• Driver: Dynamic 9mm neodymium magnet
  
• Frequency response range: 20Hz~25Khz
• Impedance: 16Ω
• Output sound pressure level: 108±3dB/mW
• Maximum input power: 3mW
• Cable: 1.2M 6N OFC twisted
• Weight: 18g
• MSRP: $159.99

Packaging, Accessories and Build quality:
The Xcited2 come in a simple box, with the brand name and logo on the front and some info and specs on the back. Take the top of the box off and you are greeted by the IEM's held securely in a velvet coated foam tray. Underneath this foam you will find the accessories. Overall the unboxing is simple and pleasant, and the packaging is plain but attractive.

The Xcited2 come with a few accessories, you get 3 different types of silicone single flange tips, a semi-hard clamshell case and a cable clip. Everything you need to get a good fit along with a secure place to store them, nothing is missing here.

The Xcited2 feel well built, the housing is mainly plastic with metal accents and a textured face plate. The cable is fixed which is a shame as I would have liked to see a detachable cable for the price. The cable is the twisted type, but then sheathed in very soft and flexible rubber, it does however have some memory effect that may take a few days to straighten out. The jack is metal and has a spring strain relief, the y-split also has a metal casing with Xcited2 engraved on it, however there is no chin slider unfortunately.



Comfort, Isolation and Driver flex:
The housings are rounded, with faily long nozzles which allows you to get a medium to deep fit that is comfortable and secure. The cable routes up and over your ear with ease, and they are very comfortable once you find the right tips.

Isolation is fairly average, there is a vent on the main body that affects the isolation, but means there is no driver flex. I find these to be fine for most regular use, but fully sealed units will nearly always be better if you are using them in very loud environments.



Sound:
Split into the usual categories with a conclusion at the end.

Lows: I appreciate the lows on the Xcited2, the reason for this is they have just the right amount of impact and presence for a lot of listeners. They don't blow your head off with heaps of power, but you can easily separate different layers down low. Bass guitars are articulate and kicks hit with great impact but don't linger to slow down faster tracks. The bass is not the focus, but it has enough warmth to prevent these from sounding cold and they are expertly controlled. The control down low may have some people wanting a bit more bloom, but these lend themselves to those who prefer the more subtle details in music. The transition from the lows to mids is very well executed, with a slight smoothness but nothing that really affects the lower midrange.

Mids: These have an excellent midrange, it is not recessed and comes across with excellent clarity. There is perhaps a little bit of emphasis on the upper midrange, bringing female vocals forwards a little and also giving the sound a bit of crunch. Separation is a strong point throughout with these, they just seem to be able to separate individual instruments very well for the price. Nothing is really boosted, and these give quite an honest reproduction of sound, the midrange is quite neutral and does not suffer from added warmth from the lows. Electric guitars have excellent definition on the Xcited2, due to the clean and detailed midrange they really have excellent crunch and power. These can verge on the limit of becoming sibilant, but don't ever quite reach it, very well done here as they don't dull the lower treble.

Highs: The treble is the only place where these could perhaps have a little more control, they are not splashy but they don't have the most natural timbre up top, with a slight metallic tone. Overall though the highs are excellent as I find too many companies play it safe with the treble, and it holds so much information and detail that is lost when you tone it down. I understand we all have different thresholds when it comes to listening fatigue, but the Xcited2 pulls off the fine line between being well presented and too much, I feel most will be fine with the quantity and quality provided here.

The soundstage is very good on these, it expands quite wide with fairly average height. Separation is a real strong point though, with excellent control and the ability to easily pick apart complex mixes.



Conclusion: Well the Xcited2 are a superb IEM, even for the price, but I really would have liked to see a detachable cable. The build and fit are very good indeed, but the sound quality is where these excel. Plenty of detail with a good balanced across the frequency range, nothing is boosted and nothing sounds particularly artificial. Yes the highs could be a tiny bit more controlled, the lows could have a little more sub-bass but overall they are very fun to listen to.

Sound Perfection Rating: 7.5/10 (great detail and comfort)

Simphonio Xcited2;
Smoothness and Clarity…


Introduction:

Simphonio was formed by a group of professional and experienced audio engineers and young- innovative audiophiles, who have created a number of products. The company Simphonio is located in Dongguan City, Guangdong, China.

The Simphonio Xcited2 is an In-Ear Monitor with a 9mm diameter single dynamic driver.

Webpage: www.simphonio.com







Disclaimer:

Simphonio Xcited2 was provided to me by Simphonio as a review sample. I am not affiliated with Simphonio or any third person beyond this review and these words reflect my true, unaltered, opinions about the product.



The Price:

The Simphonio Xcited2 is available on Penon Audio for 159,90 USD.

Purchase link: https://penonaudio.com/simphonio-xcited2.html



Package and Accessories:

The Simphonio Xcited2 IEM comes in a medium sized light gray cardbox which sports the Simphonio logo & brand name and a flower patern relief on the top of this box.

This box contains the following items;

• 1 x Simphonio Xcited2 In-Ear Monitor
• 1 x pair of pre-installed Silicone Eartips
• 3 x pairs of Normal Silicone Eartips
• 3 x pairs of Diamond Silicone Eartips
• 3 x pairs of Comfit Silicone Eartips
• 1 x Shirt Clip
• 1 x Zipper Case

The zipper case with integrated cable management is in black color and a safe place for your In-Ear Monitor.



The box contains also one shirt clip and 4 types of silicone ear tips, which are called normal, diamond and comfit. There is also one silicone ear tip which was pre-installed and has a column that splits the sound nozzle. Btw, all silicone tips I have tested out where comfortable to wear.





Design and Build Quality:

The Sinphonio Xcited2 is available in two color options and those are black/silver and white/silver color combinations. My unit came with the black/silver color combinations and has a nice appearance.




The housing of this IEM is made of plastic, but don’t get me wrong, it doesn’t looks or feels cheap, on the contrary it is well build and has a unique design. The outer shell surface is smooth and there are no sticky or burr-like residues.



The Housing is made of two parts; the upper part has a chromium coating which simulates a metal look. On the top of the upper part is the silver colored Simphonio logo and the faux leather like unique pattern surface.



The lower part is made of a transparent black plastic, which sports the slightly angled nozzle and two bass vents. You can see the driver inside the shell which is a single dynamic driver with a diameter of 9mm. The nozzle is relative long and has an golden filter on the top.



The Simphonio Xcited2 has a non-detachable cable which was a big surprise for me, because many models, especially in this price range have now a detachable cable. I don’t know if this is a real con, but the cable itself has a solid built quality, which should last for years.

The cable is made of 6N purity OFC (Oxygen Free Copper) wire with a twisted profile. This cable is coated with a non-microphonic soft plastic material.

The Y Splitter is made of metal and sports the model name Xcites2, but please note that there is no chin slider.



The 3.5mm TRS (single ended) headphone jack is gold plated and has a also a metal housing which sports the brand name Simphonio. The cable connector of the 3.5mm headphone jack is protected with a metal spring relief, which gives the Xcited2 a solid appearance.





Fit, Comfort and Isolation:

The Simphonio Xcited2 is a medium sized In-Ear Monitor with a relative ergonomic and comfortable design. I didn’t have had any issues regarding to comfort and it doesn’t hurts my ears, even after listening periods of 2-3 hours. The noise isolation in environments like bus, metro, train is above average.







Some Technical Specifications:

• Driver : 9mm Dynamic Driver with Neodymium Magnet
• Frequency Range : 20 Hz ~ 25 KHz
• Impedance : 16Ω
• Sound Pressure : 108±3dB/mW
• Max. input power : 3mW
• Cable : 1.2M 6N OFC twisted
• Weight : 18g

Drivability (Impedance):

The Simphonio Xcited2 is quite sensitive and easy to drive IEM with an impedance of 16 Ohm’s, which makes it to an ideal table earphone for portable sources like smartphones, DAP’s and tablets. The Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus was able to push Xcited2 to very loud volume levels.



Sources:

a) Albums & Tracks used for this review:

• Jehan Barbur – Yollar (Spotify)
• Minor Empire – Bulbulum Altin Kafeste (Spotify)
• London Grammar – Interlud (Live) (Flac 24bit/44kHz)
• Laura Pergolizzi – Lost On You “Live at Harvard and Stone” (Tidal Hi-Fi)

• Steve Srauss – Mr. Bones (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• Dire Straits – Money for Nothing (DSD 64)
• Gothart – Jovano, Jovanke (Spotify)
• Otto Liebert & Luna Negra – The River (DSF) – Binaural Recording
• GoGo Penguin – Fanfares (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Adam Taylor – Colour to the Moon (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• Casey Abrams – Robot Lover (Tidal Hi-Fi)

• Liqid Tension Experiment 2 – Acid Rain (Spotify)
• Opeth – Damnation (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Megadeth – Sweating Bullets (Flac 16bit/44kHz)
• Metallica – Sad bu True (Flac 24bit/96kHz)

• Future Heroes – Another World (Tidal Hi-fi)
• Lorde – Team (Flac 24bit/48kHz)
• Tom Player – Resonace Theory “Album” (Tidal Hi-Fi)
• Deeperise feat. Jabbar – Move On (Spotify)

b) In-Ear Monitor : Simphonio Xcited2, Magaosi K3 HD, TFZ Tequila1

c) DAP/DAC : Cayin N5II, Chord Mojo, Hidizs DH1000, Hifiman HM603s








Sound Analysis and Comparisons:

The Simphonio Xcited2 review is written after a burn-in of approx 80 hours. I have used silicone ear tips with the divided sound hole, which came pre-installed on the Xcited2.



Sound Signature and Tonality:

The Simphonio Xcited2 is an In-Ear Monitor with a V shaped sound signature, which has a hint of warmness and relaxing presentation.

Bass:

The bass of the Simphonio Xcited2 has some pretty good rumble and punch, which is giving a nice body to the sound. But the sub-bass of the Xcited2 sounds more like it comes from a Balanced Armature than a dynamic driver, that sounds clean, controlled and which has a pretty good speed, but that doesn’t reach to the lowest register.

The mid-bass of the Simphonio Xcited2 have an average speed with a moderate decay and the good thing is that it doesn’t mess in to the midrange. The bass is textured and has an above above-average resolution, which is in my opinion more then enough for the price what Simphonio is asking for.

Btw, the Simphonio Xcited2 has enough bass presence for instruments like bass guitars or drums, but is missing a bit of weight and fullness.






c) Mids:

The first noticeable character of Simphonio Xcited2’s midrange is the transparency and airiness of its presentation. The mid-bass character and control makes it possible to create a nice amount of space for instrument and vocals. I have tested out the Xcited2 with some complex songs like Liqid Tension Experiment 2’s “Acid Rain” and GoGo Penguin “Fanfares” and Xcited2 was able to reproduce it fairly well without to loose the overall control.

The detail retrieval is in a good level, especially at a price range between 100 – 300 USD. The only noticeable downside of Xcited’s midrange tuning is the missing of some fullness, which should be needed for genres like acoustic, jazz and/or blues.

Xcited2 sounds pretty emotional with female vocals like Minor Empires soloist Ozgu Ozman or artist like Jehan Barbur, but is misimis of some weight for male vocals like Allan Taylor or Brian Adams.

The upper midrange sounds dynamic and is pretty well presented without any remarkable harshness even in some tracks with high upper midrange stress level like Liqid Tension Experimen’s – Acid and/or Megadeth’s – Sweating Bullets.







d) Treble:

The Simphonio Xcited2 is an IEM with a moderate level of brightness, which has pretty good detail retrieval with a nice sense of air and lively sparkle at the treble range. The transition between upper midrange and treble is well done. The treble sounds controlled and can beat even higher priced IEM’s that I have tested out in the last couple years.

The treble range of the Xcited2 is not harsh and the tuning is giving the overall presentation an airy presentation, with an above average extension. The treble speed is pretty good for an IEM with a single dynamic, but is slightly slower than some In-Ear monitors with balanced armature driver configuration.






e) Soundstage:

The Simphonio Xcited2 has a nice 3D like presentation with good depth and a quite impressive wideness, which allows enough space for the positioning of vocals and instruments. The binaural recording of Casey Abrams in “Robot Lover” is a good example to show, that the Xcited2 is quite capable IEM regarding to staging, imaging and instrument placement.



f) Comparisons:





Vs. Magaosi K3 HD (with silver filter)

Both IEM’s have V Shaped sound signature, while the Magaosi K3 HD has slightly more sub-bass quantity that reaches to a lower register. The Simphonio Xcited2 on the other hand has better bass speed and control and the bass extends slightly more extension compared to those of the Magaosi K3 HD. The Simphonio Xcited2 has slightly better definition with better decay then the K3 HD has.

Both, the Magaosi K3 HD and Simphonio Xcited2 have a warmer than neutral midrange, but the Xcited2 has a more forward oriented vocal and instrument presentation, while the Magaosi K3 HD sounds more recessed and is missing some micro detail that Simphonio Xcited2 has. The Xcited2 has also the upper hand for instrument separation, because of additional air which is rendered between the instruments.

The treble range of the Xcited2 sounds airy and with more sparkle, while the Magaosi K3 HD has a warmer tuning, which makes the overall presentation of the Xcited2 livelier. The Simphonio Xcited2 has also the upper hand for treble control and extensions, while the Magaosi K3 HD has a smoother presentation.

Regarding for soundstage, the Magaosi K3 HD has slightly more depth, while the Simphonio Xcited2 has the wider stage.






Vs. TFZ Tequila1

The Simphonio Xcited2 has the more balanced tuning in direct comparison to the TFZ Tequila1, which has a very musical and full sounding presentation.

The bass of the Tequila1 has more weight than those of the Xcited2, which sounds punchier and with moderate speed. The Simphonio Xcited2 on the other hand, has less bass quantity, which extends better and is also slightly quicker than those of the Tequila1. The sub-bass of the Tequila1 extends deeper and has also additional rumble. Instruments like bass guitars or drums sounding quite good on both IEM’s, but the Xcited2 sounds a bit more natural, especially with acoustic songs.

The TFZ Tequila1 sounds fuller and warmer in the midrange area, where the Simphonio Xcited2 is missing some fullness, but has additional transparency and clearness. People who want a fuller and more intimate vocal and instrument presentation should prefer the Tequila1, but those who want a more realistic and natural presentation should prefer the Xcited2. The Simphonio Xcited2 has the upper for definition and shares slightly more micro detail. The upper midrange of both IEM’s sounds quite controlled, but the Tequila1 has the upper hand for sparkle, while the Xcited2 has better authority.

The TFZ Tequila1 sounds brighter and feels more energetic in the treble range. Both IEM’s have a good detail retieval for this price range and are nearly identical in this regarding. The Simphonio Xcited2 has the upper hand for treble extension and control, where the Tequila1 sounds a bit harsh due the brighter character. The overall presentation makes the Simphonio Xcited2 to a more comfortable IEM for long listening periods.

As I have mentioned before, the Simphonio Xcited2 has a very nice 3D like presentation, which is rarely found in this price range. The Xcited2 has better depth and is superior regarding to soundstage wideness. The Simphonio Xcited2 sounds more precise for imaging and instrument placement.






Conclusion:

The Simphonio Xcited2 is a very capable IEM at the price range between 100 – 250 USD, where you can find lots of competitors. The Xcited2 is characterized by its fairly neutral and detailed presentation, which is produced with only a single dynamic driver that is crowned with an airy and relaxing presentation.



Pros and Cons:

• + Natural and detailed presentation
• + Transparency
• + Good build quality
• + Lots of accessories

• – Cable is not removable
• – Good build quality but all plastic housing
• – A touch of fullness in the midrange could be great

This review was originally posted on "Moonstar Reviews" :
https://moonstarreviews.net




...

Simphonio Xcited2 - Intrigued by Energy

Simphonio is a pretty well known brand from China, which is known to be on similar ground with other Chinese IEM manufacturers, and their products are known to be pretty interesting. Xcited2 is an entry-level to midrange IEM, and the first product we'll be reviewing from Simphonio.






Introduction

Our interaction with Simphonio is new, but we noticed a lot of professionalism in the way they handle things, and many audiophiles seem to have heard about them already. They are known to provide good after-sales service, but most people who purchase their products do so from third party sale agents and shops, as it makes those agents can usually offer quicker service, along with a more interactive offer of IEMs. We're looking at a fairly interesting entry-level to midrange IEM with a price tag of 150 USD and with some serious backbone to keep it in the market.

It should be noted that I have absolutely no affiliation with Simphonio, I am not receiving any incentive for this review or to sweeten things out. This review is not sponsored nor has been paid for by Simphonio or anyone else. I'd like to thank Simphonio for providing the sample for this review. The sample was provided along with Simphonio's request for an honest and unbiased review. This review will be as objective as it is humanly possible, and it reflects my personal experience with Simphonio Xcited2. Every opinion expressed is mine and I stand by it, the purpose of this review is to help those interested in Simphonio Xcited2 find their next music companion.



About me


https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/about.html



Packaging

First things first, let's get the packaging out of the way:















The packaging of Simphonio2 is actually much sleeker and more modern than we've expected given that they are a new company to us, they provide an elegant yet effective solution for their package. The full name of the IEM seems to be written as Simphonio Xcited/2, but that doesn't seem to work well with html codes so we prefer on naming them Xcited2.

We like the fact that Simphonio takes the time to tell their users that "Listening to loud volumes may cause an hearing impairment.". Doing so right on the box is actually a good idea, as, as music lovers, we know and understand how important keeping one's hearing healthy is. The other thing they mention is good as well, as we'd also like to note that it is best to not be using IEMs and good-isolating equipment in noisy or dangerous / open environments.

Although the cable isn't detachable, Simphonio mentions that it is a high-quality 6N OFC cable, which is an Oxygen-Free Cooper cable, so by its nature it will give them a natural tone, thing which we'll study in the sonic performance section.

There is a shirt clip included in the package (thing which we'd have liked to see with Sennheiser IE800), and there is a high-quality travel case in there as well.

There are two sets of tips, but the naming Simphonio uses doesn't really help us understand more about them, as they are labeled as Diamond and Comfit Silicone tips.

The other technical specifications are written on the outside of the package, and the overall package is good, we feel that Simphonio didn't go overboard, but they don't underdeliver, there is a sane carrying solution with Xcited2, there are enough tips to fit most ears, and there is a high-quality cable included, although it is not detachable.



What to look in when purchasing an entry-level In-Ear Monitor

https://audiophile-heaven.blogspot.ro/p/what-to-lookl.html



Technical Specifications



Driver: Dynamic 9mm neodymium magnet
Frequency response range: 20Hz~25Khz
Impedance: 16Ω
Output sound pressure level: 108±3dB/mW
Maximum input power: 3mW
Cable: 1.2M 6N OFC twisted
Weight: 18g



Build Quality/Aesthetics/Fit/Comfort

Starting with the build quality, Xcited2 is made from a combination of metal and plastic. The outer shell is made out of a soft, leathery like plastic, while there is a metal lining to it, which is quite shiny. The inner part, the one that gets in contact with the ear, is made out of a much harder, smoother and frictionless surface. In fact, while we can't exactly probe the material, the inner part seems much more to be made out of marble rather than plastic.







There are two ventilation ports visible on the belly of Xcited2, thing which makes us really happy, as those usually take care of the driver flex issue that can appear with some IEMs.

The aesthetics are based on a white with metallic accents color scheme, which works fairly well for Xctied2, they look pretty sleek without looking cheap. Those who love something that is more traditional in aspect, will probably fall in love with Xcited2.

Now, when it comes to their fit, you need to keep in mind that the IEMs are not on the small side, but on the medium to larger side of things. Besides that, they are amazing. There is no driver flex, and there are no microphonics, the comfort while worn over-the-ear is fairly good. The sets of tips included by default work really well, and the only thing we could have wised is that they also included spinfit tips, but the ones they include work pretty well.

There is a good amount of isolation, and the IEMs didn't get slippery and didn't fall out of our ears after our tests, plus the IEMs themselves aren't uncomfortable in the long run, at least from our tests. We do need to include a little warning, any IEM which has a medium or larger body has increased chances of being uncomfortable for those with small or specific-anatomy ears.





All in all, they are built well, they feel fairly premium, and the comfort is very good. There's nothing notable that we can complain about when it comes to Xcited 2, they look and feel pretty solid. Well, at this price point, most In-Ears include detachable cables, so we'd like to see future iterations include those as well, but the default cable is so good that we can overlook that part, especially at this price point.



Sound Quality

Simphonio had a few words to describe their Xctied2 IEMs, and those were, taken off their package

Silver Coil Dynamic Driver
Clear Bass
Detailed and Excited Sound
Precise 3D Soundstage
Easy to Drive

Placed through their paces, Xcited2 is actually an amazing IEM in sound. The first thing that one notices is the soundstage size and instrument separation. We're talking about a fairly inexpensive IEM, but they have a soundstage they can really be proud of.



The overall sonic signature is midly V-shaped, with a thick, impressive bass, a clear and detailed midrange, which is slightly pushed back when compared to the bass and the treble, and with a pretty sparkly and impressive treble.

In all honesty, those sound pretty much straight on perfect with my personal ideal signature, even without any EQ. Maybe a little more treble would have been needed to scratch all itches directly, but I don't expect any IEM in this price range to get much closer to the kind of V-shaped signature I personally would use. As for placing things in words, it simply sounds live, things sound as close to a live concert as you can expect for this price range, the bass is deep, impactful, somewhat natural to slow, the midrange is clear and sparkly, harsh when it should be, smooth when it should be, the texture is amazingly crisp and well-expressed, and the treble is sparkly, bright, airy, as it would sound live.

The bass is deep, hits hard, and has excellent impact. It has a touch more sub-bass than it has mid-bass, which means that the bass sounds tactile and visceral without sounding boomy or bloated.

The midrange is extremely clear, punchy and the tonality is pretty natural, although there is some emphasis on the upper midrange when compared with the lower midrange. This means that violins and female vocals are especially sweet, while male vocals are a little more emotional. Works very well for metal and emotional music, might not work as well for music relying on males with very deep voices.



The treble is really interesting, the lower treble has excellent energy and impact, it is sparkly and feels fairly natural in both texture and tonality, while the upper treble is a smidgen smoother than the lower treble, but this shouldn't prove as an issue for anyone, they are bright enough for most music, including Metal and Electronic.

It should be noted that they can take some EQ without complaining, so if you feel you want a more aggressively V-shaped signature, you can even pump some more bass and treble without having a fear of distortion.



Soundstage

Basically, Simphonio got pretty proud of their IEM, enough to write them off as a "Precise 3D soundstage". In actual tests, they pretty much deliver a good soundstage size, not necessarily very extended, but it is an out-of-the-head experience with most music, and most important, they have a really good instrument separation. In all honesty, this wasn't expected for a IEM at this price point, but this is also what keeps up the whole sound quality that we described earlier, the really good instrument separation and airy overall sound with a large soundstage makes the V-shaped signature feel natural and well expressed. Without this kind of soundstage and separation, things can easily get hot or congested, but with it along the V-shaped signature, the final result is a nice and lively overall presentation that works well for almost any kind of music.



ADSR / PRaT

The ADSR and PRaT (Texturization) of the sound is natural to slightly slow in the bass, while it is a little quicker in the midrange and the treble. We can't call it grainy in any of area of music, but it isn't smooth either. In fact, it is exactly what we'd call a really good PRaT and ADSR. The textures in music are really vivid, lively and feel real, things are not too smooth, so nothing is ever boring with Xctied2, but things tend to not get overly textured either, so they don't cross into being too analytical or fatiguing by presenting more textures than one would usually like. This part is also connected with their magical soundstage presented above, makes a really good synergy with the overall presentation of the sound, and we feel that their name is met with a really fitting sonic reproduction Xcited.



Portable Usage

Over-the-ear usage, fairly good cable, and medium sized IEM, there's nothing to hold Xcited2 from being a really nice portable IEM, and it actually is. In fact, one thing that I found in personal testing is that it provides excellent isolation from the outside noise, but it might leak a little to the outside, although it is hard to tell how much. My girl noticed the sound coming out of it into the room, while we were sitting in the same room, thing which usually doesn't happen, but she wasn't very disturbed by it, and I was blasting them full volume, but still that can happen.



On the other hand, I couldn't hear my phone ring, or the noise of the streets of Bucharest while wearing Xcited2, so I feel that they do a fairly good job in every possible way when it comes to isolation.

There are no microphonics, and they are fairly easy to drive, much easier than IE800 and most of my IEMs, but they still aren't exactly the easiest to drive IEMs I have. At any rate, they'll play nicely with any source, like a smartphone, but I would like to note that their larger soundstage, good instrument separation, and really good textures will best be complimented by a good source, something like Hiby R6 would do really well, and if you're on a budget, a Cayin N5ii should make them sing to heavens, but most smartphones might not have the same synergy, or rather, the IEMs might reveal too well the shortcomings of a typical smartphone, be it the best smartphone when it comes to its sonic performance.

All in all, they provide a good portable usage, and they are a pair of IEMs I'd really trust to take on a walk, or while jogging.



Comparisons



Simphonio Xcited2 vs FiiO F9Pro - We'll have to compare Xcited2 with a few IEMs at a similar price point, which is close to 150 USD. In this price range, the most proeminent IEM it will fight with is FiiO F9Pro, as it is also the closest to it in price point from our comparison list. Starting with the build quality, FiiO F9Pro has detachable cables, comes with a hard carrying case made of plastic, with a soft carrying pouch, two cables, one of which is balanced, it comes with probably a more complex package, and it has more points invested in the build quality, since it has detachable cables, it is easier to service, and it has a more ergonomic shape (smaller in size, more rounded). Neither IEMs don't have driver flex or microphonics, both are comfortable in our tests, and both are good value. In terms of sonics, FiiO F9Pro feels more neutral than Xcited2, which feels more v-shaped. FiiO F9Pro has a slightly slower bass, with a brighter overall tonality, more bite in the upper midrange and lower treble, less sub-bass emphasis and a less enthusiastic, but more precise sound. In comparison, Xcited2 feels more lively and more upbeat, more energetic and more ready for impact. The detail levels are fairly similar, soundstage size is fairly similar, and instrument separation is fairly similar. If you prefer a more energetic V-shaped sound, Xcited2 makes a very appealing entry to the market, while if you want a more linear overall response, with a slightly slower bass speed, FiiO F9Pro sure is still one of our favorite IEMs in this price range.

Simphonio Xcited2 vs Dunu Falcon-C - Dunu Falcon-C was and still is another favorite of us, and since we like Xcited2 a lot, it is only fair that we place it against the best we know, so we can see whether it holds its ground. Compared to Falcon-C, they are fairly similar in tonality, detail levels, and soundstage size, although Xcited2 has a slightly more airier sound, with more instrument separation, with the sound being slightly more energetic on Falcon-C, with slightly more bite for acoustic music. The bass is a bit more in amount on Falcon-C, but the difference isn't quite that big. The biggest difference between the two will be in construction quality, where Dunu Falcon-C, with its metal construction, detachable cables, and Spinfit tips in the package feels like an improvement in this aspect. For sonic performance alone, both are extremely good, and maybe similar, with some minor tonal differences, and we feel that one would be really happy with either, Xcited 2 manages to make a really outstanding entry in the 150USD price area, while Dunu Falcon-C holds its ground nicely at its 220USD price point, with a really solid construction, build quality, and overall package, if you can shell a bit more for build quality and changeable cables.

Simphonio Xcited2 vs Oriveti New Primacy - This is an interesting one, because Oriveti New Primacy is something we really liked, and which has a very good build construction as well. Starting with the package, Oriveti New Primacy has the better overall package, with a really interesting looking case included with it, full metal, and with interchangeable cables. There is only one cable in the package though. The IEM size is much smaller than Xcited2, so it can have better comfort, but it has driver flex, something you should look out for. The overall sonic abilities are quite good on both, but here, there are some big differences. Starting with the bass, Oriveti New Primacy is much more linear and relaxed, where Xcited2 is much more exciting, with more bass quantity and impact. The midrange is Oriveti New Primacy's forte, and it holds its grounds well, with a really natural tonality, with a smoother and more relaxed approach, where Xcited2 is more energetic, lively and clearly prone to be upbeat. The treble is quite different, with Oriveti New Primacy being smooth and relaxed, a really laid back IEM in that area, where Xctied2 is quite bright and lively, its V-shaped sound comes through with nice impact, if you want a smooth and relaxing IEM, New Primacy is clearly the better choice, while if you're looking for a live, energetic, upbeat and lively sound (especially for rock, metal and electronic music), then Xctied2 makes much more of a compelling choice.



Recommended Pairings

As presented already, Simphonio Xcited2 is actually source-sensitive and using it with a better source will yield better results as its revealing nature is able to reveal a better and a lesser source, especially in the PRaT and ADSR areas, along with the soundstage and instrument separation.

Simphonio Xcited2 + FiiO Q5(AMP5) - The power of one of the greatest setups in the world, at the fingertips of your smartphone. FiiO Q5 is surely one of the most interesting DAC/AMPs anyone has ever produced, simply because it takes FiiO X7mkii's AMP modules, which were already really outstanding, and it adds literally nothing else to the sound, its sonic performance being pretty much the same as that of X7mkii. In the long run, this means that you get an energetic, upbeat, interesting and exciting sound with excellent impact and a lively V-shaped signature, all with the powers of your smartphone, at the cost of having to carry two devices (a transport and FiiO Q5).

Simphonio Xcited2 + Hiby R6 - This combination is a favorite simply because of how convenient it is, and because it comes with so many bells and whistles that one can hardly ask for more. While Hiby is still somewhat hard to find, we heard word that MusicTeck has them in stock, with more other shops receiving stocks, and being ready and willing to serve their customers. With that being said, the combination has a sonic performance that's not only outstanding in the technical way, (PRaT/ADSR, Instrument separation, Soundstage), but also configurable. Hiby's EQ implementation is so good, that we feel confident that one who doesn't want the type of energetic and lively sound Xcited2 has, can tweak it for a different presentation. On the other hand, the default signature, is as V-shaped and lively as it can get.

Simphonio Xcited2 + iBasso DX150 - If you're looking to tone down Xcited2 and to bring its enthusiasim one step down, for a smoother and a more laid back experience, iBasso DX150 with its AMP6 will be happy to give you a good rest, as it is a more laid back experience that cuts down on the treble enthusiasm of Xcited2, and makes their entire sound thicker. DX150 has some outstanding abilities, like Wifi, and streaming abilities, and with the magic of Lurker's mod, it can make good competition to all other Android DAPs.



Value and Conclusion

We reach the end of this review in high spirits. I usually don't have this much of a positive impression of any product, but this time, the little Simphonio Xcited2 amazed me with its sound, which is simply almost too good to be true.

And, at the end of the day, it might be.



The package is solid, and it doesn't cost a lot, but I am not sure whether it will be comfortable for all users, given its slightly larger shape and size than smaller IEMs in this price range. The build quality is also something I am not entirely sure about, while I am sure that Simphonio would help any customer experiencing issues, the fact that it doesn't have a detachable cable is something a little bit questionable. The version we have, the white one, looks good if you enjoy something that looks like a little bit of marble, combined with a metallic ring and a pleather surface.

Even with all this complaining, we must remember that it barely costs 150USD, which really isn't a lot given its sonic performance.

With one of the most open sounds in this price range, with a really good extension both ways, with a clean and clear sound, lots of punchiness and a great deal of impact, this IEM's sound seems to be made in Heaven - probably Audiophile Heaven (pun intended). The sonics are V-shaped, with a bass that isn't quite linear, a treble that isn't quite linear either, and a midrange that is slightly pushed back when compared to the bass and the treble. The most major accomplishment is the kind of air Xcited2 can have between its instruments, a really open experience, with a really good instrument separation and pretty large soundstage. In all fairness, they really nail down the "live" type of sound with metal and electronic music, a something that was really pleasing to us. We wouldn't recommend them to those looking for a smooth sound, Simphonio Xcited2 clearly isn't geared towards a smooth experience, nor towards a relaxing one, it is one heck of an uplifting and energetic sound through and through.



If you're looking for an uplifting and energetic IEM, with a really open sound, with good instrument separation and with a V-shaped sound, Simphonio Xcited2 creates an awesome experience that you surely will enjoy for a long time. Excellent value, a good package, and especially an outstanding sonic performance are just a few things it can impress with.



I hope my review is helpful to you!

Stay safe and remember to always have fun while listening to music!



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